Trinity Information Session - Wednesday, March 27

A reminder that Holy Trinity High School will be holding an information session on Wednesday March 27 at 7:00 p.m. in their Cafetorium. Please join them to learn about School Policies and Procedures, the Five Day Cycle Timetable, Transportation, Special Education and many other topics important to you, and your soon to be Grade 7 student.  All are welcome!

TEST: Earth-Sun-Moon Relationship (pm)

This Wednesday, the grade six students will be writing their test on the relationship between the Earth, the Sun, and the Moon. Topics include: why we have day and night, seasons and years, the phases of the moon, and solar and lunar eclipses. Students should be reviewing their science notebooks and trying to answer some of the questions that we brainstormed previously.

As luck would have it, Brainpop currently has a couple of helpful videos available for free. Click on the picture to view the animation and try a quiz.

Here are some other helpful videos to help students review the concepts:

Earth Rotation (animation)

Earth's Rotation and Revolution (video)

Reason for the Seasons

Phases of the Moon

Mechanics of an Eclipse

Lunar Eclipses Explained 

Math Reflex Successes (am)

A quick post to celebrate those students who have now obtain 70% of higher fluency in their multiplication facts (as recorded on Math Reflex). A reminder that students are encouraged to play math reflex regularly (15-20 minutes each time). Students should be setting aside time to reinforce these math facts.

Here is a list of students who have met the 70% or more fluency achievement! CONGRATS to:

Cole

Ante

Zack

Marlee

Reid

Ben

Matthew

Josh

Camryn

Sam

Victoria

Louis

Aaron

Jared

Carlos

Saying that, many students (including some on the above list) who would benefit from completing this assigned practice on a more consistent basis. A reminder to all that the completion of math reflex at home is something that I am looking for when determining report cards (e.g. learning skills) AND that these facts are essential tools for math!

Souping up our Class Library! (am)

I love Chapters! It is, however, a bit of a weak spot for me (and my bank account). In any case, I just wanted to share a new crop of books that will be available to students on Monday (following my latest Chapters splurge). Our class now has an automated system of signing out books, so students who want to sign out the books need to speak with one of the class librarians first!

Here is a list of the new books with some additional information (taken from amazon.com):

1) The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee
With Dwight attending Tippett Academy this semester, the kids of McQuarrie Middle School are on their own—no Origami Yoda to give advice and help them navigate the treacherous waters of middle school. Then Sara gets a gift she says is from Dwight—a paper fortune-teller in the form of Chewbacca. It’s a Fortune Wookiee, and it seems to give advice that’s just as good as Yoda’s—even if, in the hands of the girls, it seems too preoccupied with romance. In the meantime, Dwight is fitting in a little too well at Tippett. Has the unimaginable happened? Has Dwight become normal? It’s up to his old friends at McQuarrie to remind their kooky friend that it’s in his weirdness that his greatness lies.

2) 13 Gifts
When Tara, a self-proclaimed shrinking violet, steals the school mascot, a goat, in order to make some friends with the popular crowd and gets caught, she gets herself in a heap of trouble. In addition, her parents decide that instead of taking her on their summer trip to Madagascar to study the courtship rituals of the bamboo lemur, she must go stay with her aunt, uncle, and bratty cousin Emily St. Claire in Willow Falls. Alyssa thinks it's a good time to start over; she'll be turning thirteen after all, so she might as well make the best of it and perhaps even attempt to break out of her shell (in a non-criminal manner). What Alyssa doesn't know is that this charmed town has something big in store for her on her thirteenth birthday.

3) Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel
Greg Heffley is not willing to be the odd man out.
A dance at Greg's middle school has everyone scrambling to find a partner, and Greg is determined not to be left by the wayside. So he concocts a desperate plan to find someone—anyone!—to go with on the big night.
But Greg's schemes go hilariously awry, and his only option is to attend the dance with his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, and a female classmate as a "group of friends." But the night is long, and anything can happen along the way. Who will arrive at the dance triumphantly, and who will end up being the third wheel?

4) Schooled
Capricorn (Cap) Anderson has never watched television. He's never tasted a pizza. Never heard of a wedgie. Since he was little, his only experience has been living on a farm commune and being home-schooled by his hippie grandmother, Rain. But when Rain falls out of a tree while picking plums and has to stay in the hospital, Cap is forced to move in with a guidance counselor and her cranky teen daughter and attend the local middle school. While Cap knows a lot about tie-dying and Zen Buddhism, no education could prepare him for the politics of public school. Right from the beginning, Cap's weirdness makes him a moving target at Claverage Middle School (dubbed C-Average by the students). He has long, ungroomed hair; wears hemp clothes; and practices tai chi on the lawn. Once Zack Powers, big man on campus, spots Cap, he can't wait to introduce him to the age-old tradition at C-Average: the biggest nerd is nominated for class president…and wins.

5) The Hunger Games
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games," a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed.



6) Super Fudge
Farley Drexel Hatcher - otherwise known as Fudge - thinks he's a superhero, but his older brother, Peter, knows Fudge is nothing but a big pain! Dealing with Fudge is hard enough, bit now Peter's parents have decided to move to New Jersey for an entire year! Even worse, Peter's mom is going to have a new baby. And if this baby is anything like Fudge - help! How will Peter ever survive?



7) The Maze Runner
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls. Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every thirty days a new boy has been delivered in the lift. Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.


8) Coraline

In Coraline's family's new flat there's a locked door. On the other side is a brick wall—until Coraline unlocks the door . . . and finds a passage to another flat in another house just like her own.

Only different.

The food is better there. Books have pictures that writhe and crawl and shimmer. And there's another mother and father there who want Coraline to be their little girl. They want to change her and keep her with them. . . . Forever.

9) Frindle

Is Nick Allen a troublemaker?

He really just likes to liven things up at school -- and he's always had plenty of great ideas. When Nick learns some interesting information about how words are created, suddenly he's got the inspiration for his best plan ever...the frindle. Who says a pen has to be called a pen? Why not call it a frindle? Things begin innocently enough as Nick gets his friends to use the new word. Then other people in town start saying frindle. Soon the school is in an uproar, and Nick has become a local hero. His teacher wants Nick to put an end to all this nonsense, but the funny thing is frindle doesn't belong to Nick anymore. The new word is spreading across the country, and there's nothing Nick can do to stop it.

10) Freak the Mighty

At the beginning of eighth grade, learning disabled Max and his new friend Freak, whose birth defect has affected his body but not his brilliant mind, find that when they combine forces they make a powerful team. An established writer of adult suspense makes a stunning entry into children's literature with this extraordinary novel about two boys--a slow learner too large for his age, and a tiny, crippled genius--who pair up to create on formidable human force.


For a complete list of our class library books, click HERE.

Stations of the Cross

Next Thursday (March 28) at 10:10, we will be holding our Holy Thursday mass. Parents are invited to attend. Our class will be presenting the stations of the cross through music and drama. Also as visitors make their way to the gym for the mass, they are encouraged to participate in our interactive stations in the hallway. All artwork and recording was done by the students. If you bring a mobile device you could also scan the QR code to hear the students narrate and give more information about each station. Below is a photo gallery of the students' work.

Battery Recycling

Thanks to the work of the Earth Care Club and its teacher facilitators, our school now has a battery recycling program! If you have used batteries, please do not put them in the garbage! Send them in to school to be recycled properly.

Used Items Drive for Shepherds of Good Hope

In keeping with our school board theme, “By Our Works, We Show Our Faith,” Holy Redeemer is holding a Used Items Drive for Shepherds of Good Hope as one of our Lenten initiatives. Until Thursday, March 28th, the following eight items are being collected:    
1. forks 5. blankets
2. spoons 6. sheets
3. mugs 7. pillow cases
4. plates, all sizes 8. pillows, including throw pillows

Should you have any of the above listed items that you would be interested in donating, please send them to the school with your child, or drop them off in the collection box in the foyer. Though all items may be previously used, new items are also welcome. What a great way to find a new use for items that you may be looking to get rid of during your spring cleaning!

Have a safe and relaxing break!

Wishing everyone an amazing March break! I am hoping that all students are able to relax and spend time with their family! Looking forward to seeing everyone (and the NEW carpet in the learning commons) when we return. Check out the before video below:

Walk-a-thon Movie Reward (am)

Tomorrow during the morning, the grade six class will be celebrating their Spirit Award from the Walk-a-thon (I know it was a long time ago...). I will be bringing in some healthy (relatively) treats such as muffins and fruit. Students are welcome to bring in some healthy snacks as well... baked goods are great, chips and pop are not (it will be 9 in the morning after all). The students have worked hard leading up to the March break and since we have finished our explanatory writing and our variable unit, the students are free to relax and recharge over the break. Students are encouraged to read regularly and play some math reflex but no formal homework assignments are being handed out over the break.

Variables Test - tomorrow (am)

Tomorrow the grade sixes will be writing their math test on Algebras and Variables. Today, we completed a review and students were given a package of questions to complete for homework tonight. 

If students misplaced their review sheet, they can download another copy HERE.

Once students have completed the review they are encouraged to check their answers HERE.

For extra practice, students could play the online games listed below:
1) One-Step Equation Game 
2) One-Step Equation Pong
3) A Collection of Algebra Games
4) Solving Equations
5) Equation Match
6) Late Delivery
7) Algebraic Expressions Millionaire
8) Writing Algebraic Equations

Explanatory Videos (am)

Over the past week, students have been researching and developing an explanatory text on a topic related to Space. Today in language arts, students took their explanatory text and had 45 minutes to do the following:
- download the SonicPics app onto their iPOD
- select a variety of pictures to help complement their explanation
- use SonicPics to develop a narrated explanation
- upload to YouTube

Every student managed to complete this task. Click below to view some of the videos:

The Planet Earth (by: Lucas)
Dwarfs and Supergiants (by: Carlos)
Comets (by: Aaron)... note: something happened when uploading and the pics are off slightly (sorry Aaron)
Valley, Volcanos, and Craters on Mars (by: Victoria)
Shooting Stars (by: Noah)
The Moon (by: Bailey)
Supernovas (by: Ante)
Star Death (by: Jared)
Sounds of Earth (by: Marlee)
Saturn: The Gas Giant (by: Tara)
Lunar Eclipse (by: Haley)
Neptune (by: Emma)
The Milky Way (by: Brianna)
Kuiper Belts (by: Mieke)
Jupiter (by: Josh)
Exploring Asteroids (by: Hayden)
Uranus: One of the Gas Giants (by: Michael)
How the Moon was Created (by: Cole)
Asteroids are Awesome (by: Adam)
An Asteroid Coming our Way? (by: Zack)
Black Holes (by: Ben)

The Earth and Sun relationship (pm)

In science, we have been investigating how the rotation of the Earth leads to the formation of days and nights. We have also been investigating how the orbit of the Earth around the Sun (and the tilt of the Earth) determine our year and the seasons we experience. On Friday, students became the "Earth". We marked the location of North America (chest), South America (belly), Asia (upper back), and Australia (lower back). Then we tilted towards Polaris (23.5 degrees!) and rotated and revolved. We may have looked ridiculous doing this activity but it was a great way to have students experience why the seasons form. 

Check out this applet to view more info on the formation of the seasons.

Following our activity, the students were to come up with questions. I told the students that these questions would make up their test (after March break). Here is a list of their questions:

Day and Night

·         How does the Sun’s position in the sky change as the day goes on?

·         Where in the sky is the Sun in the morning?

·         Where in the sky is the Sun in the evening?

·         How long does it take for Earth to rotate on its axis?

·         How is this measured?

·         At what time on the clock does a new day begin?

·         What is the middle of the day called?

·         Where is the Sun in sky at noon?

·         At what time on the clock does the day end?

Seasons and Years

·        What angle is the earth tilted?

·        How long does it take for the Earth to orbit the Sun?

·        How many times has the Earth rotated in five years?

·        Are the seasons the same in the northern and southern hemisphere? Explain.

·        Why is it warm in the summer and cold in the winter?

·        Why doesn't Florida have four distinct seasons like we do in Ottawa?

Great Questions that will NOT be on our test but students are encouraged to explore!

·        Why does the earth rotate counter clockwise?

·        Why does earth always point towards Polaris?

·        Is the tilt important (what if it was only 20 degrees)?

Variables and Algebra Test - THURSDAY (am)

We are working hard to finish up all of our language and math units before March break. This will allow students to fully relax over the break and to start fresh with new units when they return. We began our mini-unit on variables and algebra last week and plan to finish it up this coming Thursday (March 7). The topics covered on this test include:- recognizing if a variable is representing an unknown quantity OR a changing quantity- determining the value of an unknown in an algebraic equation- using strategies (completing the opposite operation) to solve one-step equations- substituting values into algebraic equations- using formulas to solve problems- writing simple algebraic equations from words and pictures

Here is a list of online practice sites that students are encouraged to explore over the next few days:
1) One-Step Equation Game 
2) One-Step Equation Pong
3) A Collection of Algebra Games
4) Solving Equations
5) Equation Match
6) Late Delivery
7) Algebraic Expressions Millionaire
8) Writing Algebraic Equations

Call for Guitars

As dance has now ended, we are preparing to begin music following March break. For the music unit, our main instrument will be the guitar. I am asking anyone that has a guitar and would be willing to lend it to us for the duration of our unit - March to June - to send it into school. All guitars will be stored in our classroom. Thank you in advance for lending our students your guitar. We are hoping to expand our music program and will only be able to do this with your help. If students own their own guitar, they are welcome to bring it to and from school but need to ensure their guitar is at school on "music" days.

Explaining Space (am)

For the last week, students have been researching and writing about a topic related to space. Miss Farmer took them through the key components of explanatory writing and students were to use the anchor chart and the organizer to guide their writing. On Thursday, we peer edited each others' essays using Google docs and many students have submitted their good copies. For those students who have NOT completed their good copy, they must complete this over the weekend. All student writing will be printed (and submitted for grading) before school on Monday morning  On Monday, all students will be working on the publication phase of the project using the iPODs and an app called Sonic Pics. We will be using our writing to create a narrated picture story of our topic. The narrations are due by the end of the day on Tuesday.